MagicPauley57
127 posts
Nov 16, 2013
4:25 AM
|
Recently while trawling through eBay etc at harp mics, I keep coming across these modernised versions or retro ( hate that term) most commonly styled after the evergreen jt30. Some have an XLR connection. With or without volume control eTchaikovsky
Most have a generic dynamic element, and most claim to have authentic Chicago Blues tones.
Makes like tailfeather, alctron, etc all look like they have been made in the same factory, then sold at various prices
Has anyone tried, bought one?
Also the superlux, and all the green bulletalikes?
I'm not going to buy one, they look mostly style over substance, aimed at
People who dont't know!
I'm no snob, just interested in any feedback on this
|
HawkeyeKane
2161 posts
Nov 16, 2013
7:20 AM
|
Hi Pauley,
I've never come across the JT30 derivatives you mentioned. Only three I've seen with a JT30 shell design are The Hohner Blues Blaster and the Astatic by Hohner JT30RH (which are one and the same mic with a different connection and cosmetics), both with cheap crystals. I think the JT30RH has been discontinued. The third is the Nady-Bushman Torpedo, which does indeed have a dynamic element, as well as some shell vents for vocal use as well as harp.
The GB derivatives are just as disappointing as a 520DX. All have cheap dynamic elements and super thin wiring. The only one I might recommend is the one made by Peavey, the H-5. I have one. The connector is a bitch and the element could be better, but the on/off switch is a good feature. I used one as my main mic for two years. I'm about to send it in to have the shortcomings improved since its now out of warranty.
----------
Hawkeye Kane
|
Oisin
1055 posts
Nov 16, 2013
8:25 AM
|
the Superlux is not a bad mic...there's not much difference between it and a 250DX and they are half the price. I would definitely recommend it if you are on a budget. Much better tone than the JT30 Roadhouse and forget the Nady and those other brushed aluminium, all fins and slots type mics...they have nice looking shells with a dog turd element inside.
|
MagicPauley57
128 posts
Nov 16, 2013
10:35 AM
|
Thing is , they give all the flannel, how they're designed for harp players, I've yet to see anyone screw one onto s Mic stand, these mics with all the vents and slots etc, I JetBlue impression that harp players want to cut down on sound leaking out. Hence cupping the Mic, and they cut vents in them.
Also all the new 520dx versions still
Have the sprung hard wired lead which
Has always been a recipe for disaster
At some point down theline
|
atty1chgo
741 posts
Nov 16, 2013
11:14 AM
|
Is it the thrill of discovering that something cheaper will work fine that keeps people experimenting with "cheaper" microphones? C'mon folks, even a decent vintage mic, if saved up for, can be found for around $100-150. Maybe my idea of being "on a budget" is horribly skewed. But I look upon a good microphone as an investment in good harp playing. I guess I just don't see the fascination of trying to DIY something , or going really cheap with something that, let's be real here, in the end and at worse, is going to sound like crap, and at best, just isn't worth the time and money. What can someone "on a budget" afford? Only $25.00? I have a hard time believing that. When we were kids, we saved to buy things. What gives? Is that gone now for good? On eBay, you can get GREAT deals on mics that in the end will perform far better than some of the stuff I have heard being discussed. JMHO.
Last Edited by atty1chgo on Nov 16, 2013 11:17 AM
|
jbone
1411 posts
Nov 16, 2013
12:42 PM
|
Maybe I should not say it but the Shure 585 is a really fine mic for really easy money lately. It's not a bullet, it's a ball/stick, but so what? That lends itself to more options with hand effects and to my ear it sounds great. It's high z so plugs into a tube amp. Plenty of mids and decent lows but it also does well on the high end. They go for $30-$50 on ebay every day.
Another choice not maybe as desirable due to a lack of low end is the Astatic 332. Crystal powered and a small package but for low end harps and especially say a bari C or a G chromatic this is a great little mic. A bit clean for everyday use but mine has a definite place in the next project Jolene and I are doing.
Unless you just like to tinker, if you want a good bullet mic it will cost a hunnerd bucks or so. You can cobble something together out of a doorknob, shower head, tail light bezel, small bottle, tea strainer, pvc fittings, but what have you got at the end of the day? For my money I want a big maker having done a great job before all the later cheaply made crap came along.
----------
http://www.reverbnation.com/jawboneandjolene
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000386839482
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wa7La7yYYeE
Last Edited by jbone on Nov 16, 2013 4:36 PM
|
didjcripey
657 posts
Nov 16, 2013
1:39 PM
|
Done the showerhead, door knob, salt shaker thing, as well as lots of unusual and different vintage mics. Lots of fun and a great hobby, but in the end, unless you prefer a stick mic, I think you're better off just getting a vintage green bullet, Astatic T3, JT30 or similar with a good CM element.
We're really not talking big bucks, especially when you consider what harps and amps cost these days.
----------
Lucky Lester
|
Joe_L
2400 posts
Nov 16, 2013
3:03 PM
|
You get what you pay for in life. However, a solid player can make any of the above mics sound good, if they have solid technique.
The JT30RH is a solid value for the price. The 520DX can sound good, too. The Superlux is also good.
Any of the above will sound good, if I person knows how to operate a microphone. A few weeks back, I plugged a JT30RH into one of my amps. Aki Kumar and I both played through it. It sounded perfectly fine. It's not my go-to mic, but I use it frequently enough and it sounds good.
There are a couple of videos on my youtube channel of Mark Hummel playing through a 520DX plugged into my Harpgear Double Trouble. I also have several videos of me playing a 520DX though the Double Trouble or a Mini Meat. You wouldn't know the mic was "inferior" unless someone told you.
Another friend of mine was using a Superlux plugged into a 60w Pignose. His tone was really nice. It was a little cleaner and brighter than usual, but it was pretty deep.
If a person has good technique, those mics will work just fine. Are they the best? Of course, not. They aren't forgiving. However, a person who wants to learn good technique, these mics will help a great deal. When you move up to a better quality mic, you'll still sound great.
Most people would benefit from practicing more frequently, working on their technique and playing more, than spending money on "better quality stuff".
----------
The Blues Photo Gallery
Last Edited by Joe_L on Nov 16, 2013 3:09 PM
|
jbone
1412 posts
Nov 16, 2013
4:50 PM
|
Cheap and cheaply made are two different animals. A lot of manufacturers make their money using lighter wire, "lesser" components like cable ends, elements etc etc., and they can sell cheaper and make up in volume sales.
Cheap price is what we all want on decent or great quality. I have been lucky for the most part. since I just don't have much cash lying around I have to research and shop for bargains and sometimes I hit a good one. Occasionally I have some work done by a pro like Greg Heumann but for the most part it better run like it is.
I've had and let go several decent enopugh mics. If I had it to do again I would have kept the Bluesblaster I had in the 90's and stuck a good hot element in it but so it goes.
My stable is not huge- 5 mics- but I have some great mics. A Ruskin with an mc 151, a Shure shell with a good cm, an EV m43u with a transformed up dynamic element, an Astatic 332, a few Shure 585's, one of which works, several of which I'd love to find good capsules for. I let a Shure 545s go recently but i was not using it. A Bushman/Nady bullet that I was not doing anything with.
I always keep an sm57 handy as well as a beta58.
I do some solder work when necessary but anything major I will have a pro do it.
----------
http://www.reverbnation.com/jawboneandjolene
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000386839482
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wa7La7yYYeE
|
MagicPauley57
129 posts
Nov 16, 2013
5:25 PM
|
Absolutely nothing wrong with using cheap alternatives, or other types of vocal mics, as some have said already mics like the 520dx can be expensive, I had a shaker dynamic for years,it died on me and no way to fix It. Was a great little Mic . Used to keep in the harp case, I also have an old shure 520d and an astatic jt30-c on the way, hopefully by early Next week
Last Edited by MagicPauley57 on Nov 16, 2013 5:27 PM
|
BigSteveNJ
18 posts
Nov 16, 2013
6:19 PM
|
I got a Mexican Shure 520D with a CM in it for $90. No, not the hottest, best or whatever-superlative we could use, but it's a good solid workhorse mic. I would need stupid money and a really great reason to part with said money before I'd replace this mic.
People have made excellent points. Get the best you can afford when you can afford it. Learn good acoustic tone. You can always upgrade gear; no amount of money will buy you tone to put through the gear.
|
hooktool
109 posts
Nov 16, 2013
8:14 PM
|
What's the difference in the Shure sm57 sm 58 vs. the Beta models of the 57 and 58?
John
|
Jehosaphat
606 posts
Nov 16, 2013
8:32 PM
|
You used to be able to pick up an Akai DM13 for like
20$
I actually got mine for 10$.in 2010.
These are great harp mikes,but unfortunately now since I and others have sung their praises on the internet they are becoming the Harp mike Du jour
But they are still cheaper(if you are lucky) than most other 'name' mikes.
I dropped mine into a lake(don't ask) and have been looking for another one since then.
Now 2013 and another one hasn't appeared on our local version of E Bay yet in the intervening 3 years.
Last Edited by Jehosaphat on Nov 16, 2013 8:38 PM
|
Joe_L
2401 posts
Nov 16, 2013
8:51 PM
|
Actually, there is a way to fix the Shaker. You send it back to them and they can repair it. I sent a crystal Shaker to them years ago that was broken. They replaced it for me.
----------
The Blues Photo Gallery
|
MagicPauley57
130 posts
Nov 17, 2013
2:52 AM
|
i don't live in the states and i managed to open it up, so i reckon they wouldn'T want it back !
|
A440
114 posts
Nov 17, 2013
9:30 AM
|
The Superlux D112C is an excellent mic, especially for the price (48€). I have been gigging with one for a few years. It fits nicely in the hands, produces good tone, and never creates feedback. The volume control works well. It has survived being dropped numerous times, and rattling around in my gig bag - it is well built and durable. Highly recommended.
Last Edited by A440 on Nov 17, 2013 9:31 AM
|
MP
2991 posts
Nov 17, 2013
10:59 AM
|
I agree w/ jbone,
"When we were kids, we saved to buy things"
I bought my first new amp (a Fender Princeton -no reverb)on lay away. I wanted a flute so I put one on lay away. Every month i'd drop money off at the music store. At the time I had no idea that I was buying one of the best small harp amps ever. my neighbor owns one of my old ones. ( I had at least two of them over the years)
----------
i still have a little Hohner stock for reed replacement in three common keys.
when these are gone i'm out of the biz.
click MP for my e-mail address and more info.
Last Edited by MP on Nov 17, 2013 11:02 AM
|
Mirco
22 posts
Nov 17, 2013
11:52 AM
|
I am struggling to understand something. The microphones being produced today, such as the current Green Bullet, are generally accepted to be far inferior than the products sold years ago.
Why doesn't some company jump on the opportunity and start manufacturing a quality microphone using a great element? A quality product like these vintage microphones?
Is it because it is easier and more profitable to sell something with a flashy brand (the Green Bullet or the Blues Blaster) and cut costs on the guts?
There really seems to be an open market for someone to make a lot of money here. Guys like Greg Heumann are producing fantastic mics on an individual scale, but why doesn't some company do this?
|
Kingley
3283 posts
Nov 17, 2013
12:00 PM
|
Mirco - Simply because there isn't enough money to be made to make it worthwhile for a big company like Shure. The reality though is that when it comes to musical equipment, mics for harp players is a tiny market compared to other items.
|
tjtaylor
28 posts
Nov 17, 2013
12:32 PM
|
i recently saw a mint shure 533 high imp. on ebay for $40.00 buy it now. These are flat out killer! There are still good deals to be had!
|
TetonJohn
165 posts
Nov 17, 2013
1:53 PM
|
Big +1 on the 533 -- though I'm not sure how easy it is to find one "cheap" (per subject line); I guess you could get way lucky and find a good one for $40 (as said above) -- don't know. I got one years ago from Tom Ellis, New In Box, it still gets lots of gig use even though I have since acquired other great mikes.
|
Mirco
23 posts
Nov 17, 2013
2:53 PM
|
@Frank:
To be a millionaire you have to do somebody wrong, as Muddy said.
|
tjtaylor
29 posts
Nov 17, 2013
3:26 PM
|
TetonJohn, The 533 that I saw for 40 bucks probably was an exception but the market is kind of soft now. I see them pretty often for around 75 bucks, a few years back you couldn't touch one for under $150.00. Another great mic that can be had for short money is the Shure 540, sounds almost identical to the 533. To my ear both of these sound as good as any bullet, and I have a bunch of those too.
|
Rick Davis
2695 posts
Nov 17, 2013
3:37 PM
|
Bottle O Blues mic, $59.
----------
-Little Rick Davis
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
The Mile High Blues Society
|
isaacullah
2572 posts
Nov 17, 2013
5:04 PM
|
There have been many times in life where $25 has been a "large" sum of money for me, and $50 or $100 would mean the difference between eating this month or not. Not saying that being cheap for cheap's sake is a virtue, but all things have a scale. For many people in this country, and especially in others, a vintage "harmonica mic" is an unatainable luxury. Why not experiment to see if a good result can be obtained for much less money?
I've been down the DIY route, and I know that very good results can be had that way. Is it "the same" as a vintage bullet? No. Is it good? Yes. AND, as a result, I have a much greater understanding and appreciation of what goes into making a good microphone.
BTW, for those that are looking for a good "stick" mic, the Berhinger XM8500 is a very very good mic, and costs about $20. It's currently my main mic. I've A/B tested it against a Shure Sm85, and to my ears, the XM8500 has better bass response when cupped.
----------
YouTube! Soundcloud!
|
